Construction starts on Hughenden 20 MW solar park

BayWa r.e. has started constructing a 20 MW solar farm on the outskirts of Hughenden in Flinders Shire, Queensland.

The 83 acres solar farm is being built by Melbourne based Beon Energy Solutions and it will take approximately 14 weeks to install the 60,000 solar panels. Energy from the solar farm will feed directly into Hughenden’s electricity substation and help to cover peak electricity in the region. In total, the 20 MW solar farm will generate enough green power to supply 6,800 Australian homes.

Daniel Gäfke, Managing Director of BayWa r.e. Solar Pte Ltd. said: “This is our first solar installation in Australia and we are really pleased to be undertaking it in Flinders Shire. The area has a perfect climate for solar energy and we’ve received a really positive reception from the local community and Flinders Shire Council. We’ve been working closely with the Council on the project for nearly a year now and are pleased to say that so far it has created over 100 local jobs for the area during the construction of the project and will employ local electricians and service staff after the plant is built.

“People from the local community have likely seen the site being cleared to the south of Hughenden. BayWa r.e. is committed to working alongside nearby communities and while we always aim to keep any disruption to a minimum, we thank the community for their patience during the construction period. Once complete, the site will be visible from the Kennedy Development Road however it will be screened by the regrowth of native vegetation in an area surrounding the plant.”

Located on the outskirts of Hughenden, the solar park has recently been sold to Lighthouse Infrastructure.

The Australian company specializes in acquiring infrastructure projects and in 2016 launched a $100M solar investment fund to invest in the country’s solar energy sector. Energy from the solar farm will be sold to one of Australia’s leading energy retailers.

Gäfke added: “Once complete, the site will continue to be managed by BayWa r.e and we will very much stay part of the community as we undertake the ongoing operations and maintenance for the owner Lighthouse Infrastructure.

Australia is a really exciting market for BayWa r.e and this project marks the start of a continued investment in Australia’s renewable energy market. In addition to Hughenden, we are currently developing a further three large projects in Northern Victoria and Queensland. These projects, once operational, will have a projected combined output of just under 280 MW. All three are set to be generating electricity before the end of 2018 and will generate enough power to supply 89,000 Australian homes with green energy.”

For more information on the project or questions regarding the ongoing works please contact us at info.hughenden@baywa-re.com